Student & Graduate Reviews (267)

5
out of 5

DrJ-
January 26, 2016

Degree:
Public Safety Management

Graduation Year:
2013

Capella is a great institution. I have since recommended several individuals to this institution. My husband graduated with his masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (practicing and licensed therapist now) and my cousin is pursuing hers at his time. It was a difficult 7.5 years. I graduated with a 4.0 because I gave it everything I had. I took one year off because I had a baby. After that, I went full force ahead with the dissertation. The dissertation took me 2.5 years alone. After speaking with my advisor, I realized that I had actually finished the dissertation faster then "average". I'm told that it takes an average of 16 semesters to pass dissertation. Hey, it just takes time. I did mine in 10 ( or something like that) . It's hard and arduous but hard work pays off. I teach at six different institutions. I have taught at a total of 8. I make well over six figures teaching. I have been offered various opportunities, including full-time opportunities and opportunities to serve as a subject matter expert for various classes. I have taught over 70 different criminal justice/forensic related courses for various institutions at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. I have no problems securing employment. This is a regionally accredited institution. You will be academically prepared and professionally prepared once leaving this institution, if you put in the work. In my experience as a professor of higher learning, students who complain, are more often than not, those who simply do not have the tenacity to forge ahead. Things will not be handed to you on a silver platter at this institution. Most complaint individuals on this board associate issues with their financial situation with the school being a lackluster institution because it's for-profit. Take a look at the complaints. Often times you will see a complaint tailored more towards financial issues than towards academics. Just because you "want to PHD" doesn't mean you have the tenacity it takes to persevere. If you want it, really want it, you will do what it takes to EARN it. Plan for it-allocate your budget. You may need to finance your education via other means; beyond federal aid. Know this ahead of time. Plan for a longer dissertation process than originally expected. This way, you won't be disappointed when in fact, it does take longer. Look into working smarter not harder. Purchase software such as voice typing software. I would not have made it through my program without Dragon NaturallySpeaking or Dragon dictate for Mac. I never have to type a thing. I use it to teach my courses as well. You will save so much time and energy. Also, invest in a good computer software called EndNote or Bookends. APA software. The software will keep all of your research and resources organized in a reference library so that you can refer to it later on. Ready to be called Dr. yet?

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39 out of 49users found this review helpful.

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4
Comments

-1

Danny Hermanus
- 10 months ago

I am finishing my PhD in General IT after I graduated my MS in IT Network Architecture 2013. The online study is good for the person that have full time job and need to finish their Master of PhD.

For me, all the work is depend of you, the Capella University has all materials they have, we just need to be discipline our self and finish the assignments and discussions. After that is up to you.

0

tom
- 9 months ago

What are you a Dr. of?

0

Drj
- 9 months ago

PhD in Criminal Justice

0

Mary
- 9 months ago

Thank you; this was a most helpful post! I am in the application process, and almost ready to commit to attending Capella for the MFT you mentioned your husband received there. I'm curious whether he had any trouble finding a practicing/internship?

Comment removed.

1
out of 5

Capella Greedy with no support-
January 26, 2016

Degree:
Psychology, General

Graduation Year:
2016

So I just started at Capella. It was ok but then I was getting graded poorly on work that I had no text book for yet. We were told that we did not need test books until the fourth week of school. Grading was very subjective to me. I did not like it all. They claim they are people to help you with academics that you struggle in but when you try and get help its only like 15 minutes. The instructor just refer you to another person but wait you are the instructor for the class, you are supposed to be available to help your student not push it off on somebody else. People never respond to the questions that I ask which was a valid question about the assignment. I do not recommend Capella. I dropped the class, my financial aid was never disbursed and they still telling me I have to pay 2550 for a course that I dropped at the beginning of the semester. Crooked money hungry staff. Don't go their not accredited either and I am out of money and never took the class.

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19 out of 35users found this review helpful.

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2
Comments

1

Cindy Kasner
- 10 months ago

I am wondering if perhaps there is a language barrier that is getting in your way, as your grammar is poor and perhaps this could be an issue for you?

1

S D Kid
- 10 months ago

An instructor is there to help you understand concepts directly related to the course. If a student has significant deficits in writing or reading comprehension, then there isn't much an instructor can do about that.

Too many want an education spoon-fed to them. Sorry-- you have to work for it. I have been a Capella student for 5 quarters now, and I work my tail off to achieve. It has been very common for me to spend up to 36 hours just on the weekend (5pm Friday to Sunday midnight) to do what I need to do to be successful in each course. Paying tuition does not mean you get to pass. Sorry you had a bad experience-- but I think you may need to re-assess what you really want and how hard you are willing to work to get it.

5
out of 5

drfahey-
January 23, 2016

Degree:
Education

Graduation Year:
2007

I earned a PhD from Capella in March 2007. This took 36 months to achieve with intense focus. Now I am back earning a second masters and similar to the first time at Capella, I have never had a problem with any aspect of the process from registration to graduation. I am here tonight writing because I never wrap my mind around why others have so many problems, issues, or concerns. I just do the work, enjoy the learning process and win. During the time it took me to earn my first degree I never had to pick up the phone once to call anyone as everything went fine. I am now taking my second class in this new program and again, cannot understand why anyone is or could have a problem. Currently, I am an academic dean for an international school in Boston, Massachusetts. My degree from Capella has always been recognized as fully accredited. However, my future goal is to teach English, thus the reason for returning. I want to now specialize in this area of knowledge. So far, so good. Good luck to all those who register for this school or any one online college or university as it takes special motivation to move successfully through any one class.

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14 out of 15users found this review helpful.

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1
out of 5

Tina-
January 19, 2016

Degree:
Psychology

Graduation Year:
2016

Fraudulent in academics and finances. Do not attend this school many illegal practices going on. Check the Web reviews. ..there are tons of students who hAve had their funds stolen. Esp pell grants. If you do question their practice they drop you out of the program with no valid explanation. My experience was they enrolled me in a class I had already taken, I informed them the day after they enrolled me. I had to argue it was same class from a university that was accredited through same committee. They dropped me from the class and gave me a F. When I said that's not legal they said there was nothing I could do about it. Up until that point I had taken 6 classes from them and had a 4.0. The next class I was dropped bc I didn't make fast enough progress...I was in the flexpath program that stated take as much time as you need. I was in my 7th or 8th week and just completed 4 papers with all A's. I only needed to finish one paper and I was finished with the class...and they dropped me. The reason I received was I wasn't working fast enough. This is not what the program advertised...they will lie to you, ignore you, and take your money. Please do not consider this school.

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46 out of 57users found this review helpful.

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2
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0

JOHN
- 10 months ago

I AGREE! DO NOT ATTEND THIS UNIVERSITY! THEY ARE A FRAUD! SHOULD BE CLOSED! CAPELLA STEALS FROM ITS "LEARNERS" AND THE GOVERNMENT - LEAVING "LEARNERS" WITH OUTRAGEOUS DEBT AND A MEANINGLESS DEGREE - ALL WITH THEIR ENTIRE LEARNING PROCESS BEING RIDICULOUS, POSTERS ALWAYS COMMENTING ON "GOD", AND POOR INSTRUCTOR FEEDBACK. BUT…YOU SURE WILL HEAR FROM THEM WHEN YOU OWE $4,200 PER QUARTER! A JOKE.

0

Mrs. Everly
- 8 months ago

Did anyone contact you about this? This is major and could definitely keep someone from going there. i'm glad I read this..

2
out of 5

Alicia-
January 18, 2016

Degree:
Public Health

Graduation Year:
2015

I did not graduate from Capella University. I went there for a total of 4 classes before I found out they lied and were not accredited to provide an MPH degree. Many employers require an MPH to have specialized accreditation called the CEPH. I live in California and in order to get a state job my degree must be CEPH accredited. Capella advisors talked a big game about accreditations, discounts, scholarships, fast trac, etc. I specifically asked if they were accredited for giving out MPH's and the person said yes we are… bull. tried to apply for a paid internship and the employer said that I have potential and would love to take me on but they wouldn't because the school I was using to meet the requirements for an MPH internship was not properly accredited. I was so pissed, I called up the advisor and they kept saying they were accredited and the advisor was only referring to being regionally accredited despite me asking over and over if they had a CEPH. After going through the CEPH data base of schools who met the accreditation Capella was not on the list. I then withdrew from the school and got F's for the two classes I was enrolled in at the time. Capella talks a big game but be aware what accreditations you need for the degree you are seeking and I suggest not to trust the admission advisors when they say they have them. Go to the specialized accreditation website and do a search for the school in their database first. I take some of the blame for not checking myself via the CEPH website, but they also said they had the accreditation. Also the classes I took were not transferrable to a CEPH MPH program that I am now enrolled in through a local California college. If you want an MPH degree, don't go to Capella.

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30 out of 37users found this review helpful.

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5
Comments

-2

Audra
- 10 months ago

you can take the CPH exam without this school being CEPH acredited. You just have to meet the requirements.

2

Alicia
- 10 months ago

Yes you can take the CPH exam but as I stated, if the job you want only accepts MPH degrees that are CEPH accredited and you went to Capella who does not offer the CEPH than your application to that job will be dismissed. Most state and government jobs require a CEPH so if the MPH is what you are pursuing and plan to work for the government or your state then be sure to go to a school that provides a CEPH accreditation.

-3

Heather
- 10 months ago

I am just wondering why, if you knew what accreditation to look for, did you not just check with the accrediting agency? Why wouldn't you check yourself if you knew how important it was? SMH.

2

Alicia
- 10 months ago

Lol Heather, now I'm shaking my head. Please go back to troll school you are doing it wrong.

If you read my first statement correctly you would have clearly come across the sentence where I said " I take some of the blame for not checking myself." And the rest of that sentence states that I personally asked the school if they had a CEPH accreditation for their MPH degree and their reply was yes.

Nice try on trolling a stranger and trying to sound superior but if you read the statement you would have found that I all ready confessed that I should have looked it up myself.

My post is for those thinking about Capella for furthering their education and talking to a well spoken manipulative salesman of an advisor and letting them know they can't trust what they say and to do a very thorough check on what they tell you.

It's not for trolls who want to make a comment and try to make a stranger feel dumb (even if said troll fails, because you did...). So Heather, go home, better yet go back to troll school.

1

Nikki
- 6 months ago

I am double checking on all the accreditation of this school before even applying. I suggest everyone do that before applying to any college offering online courses.

5
out of 5

Dee-
January 10, 2016

Degree:
Business Administration and Management, General

Graduation Year:
2016

I was scared at first but once my classes started it was all good. They were the only school that took all 122 of my transfer credits so I was only there for a year. I got a $8k scholarship so overall its all about what I put into it. I enjoyed it a lot. I really have nothing bad to say about the Capella

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20 out of 27users found this review helpful.

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5
out of 5

More than satisfied-
December 30, 2015

Degree:
Clinical Psychology

Graduation Year:
2006

A Capella grad, now online instructor, I can provide perspective from both sides of "the desk." Capella is a real and challenging program. Online study is not for everyone, particularly at the doctoral level. It requires a significant amount of self-motivation and drive. The dissertation alone is a bear of a life consuming project that prospective students should thoroughly understand before undertaking. Of the complaints I've read, sound like my students who want the degree without the work. One such student recently conveyed that quality work couldn't be submitted on time because priorities had been set: 1) Family; 2) Job; 3) Church. Sorry, but if your education can't crack the top three, you won't succeed at ANY program. While I feel the education was excellent - including the practical skills of clinical practice - there are some unavoidable obstacles. Learning those practical skills cannot be done solely online. The clinical psych program is more correctly a hybrid. Travel to a series of "residencies" is required. Beyond Capella, clinical psychologists require three years of supervised practice - practicum, internship, post-doc residency. As a "national campus," a distance program cannot offer the sort of support conventional programs do (e.g. an associated teaching hospital for practicum). Internship is a nationally competitive process that already has an only 75% placement rate - some students from top-tier programs don't get placed - and most all require relocation for a nearly minimum wage income. Same for post-doc, but with a slightly higher income. Then there is the licensing exam which all but requires completing a prep course, at your own expense with no institutional support. Finally, the lack of APA accreditation, automatically disqualifies you from licensing in 1/3 of the US. (There is a significant status quo problem with APA that speaks more to it as an organization than the quality of distance delivered programs.) Bottom line - this is a solid program which some larger issues that are navigable IF a prospective student goes in with eyes WIDE open.

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30 out of 39users found this review helpful.

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2
Comments

1

EMMANUEL MANLEY
- 10 months ago

I disagree with your comments, Sir. Capella is not a good school and they treat their students like dirt. You might be lucky, but, remember the issues experienced by majority of the students. Lets be empathetic! Thank you.

0

Stand by original comments
- 10 months ago

Perhaps you'd be well to be reminded that YOU are not the "majority" of students.

Any large organization is going to have some strong supporters, some strong detractors and a vast majority that fall in the middle.

Just because you had a negative experience doesn't automatically negate the positive experiences of many others.

1
out of 5

Derrick Utsler-
December 30, 2015

Degree:
Psychology

Graduation Year:
2017

I started class on December 7th and dropped December 29th. I submitted my first paper to Turn it in and it was kicked back with NO feedback on paper. It helps if you can get someone to actually read your paper. I was taking Flex Path. My first time trying to submit paper, the system did not work on their end. I had problems with my computer and printer that I had to pay for during this process. My loans were supposed to be deposited in my account on the 25th, in which I was counting on being around Christmas time and having the repairs that I hadn't expected. The money never was deposited. I'm still being charged $2,000 for 22 days of frustration.

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20 out of 32users found this review helpful.

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4
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2

bree
- 11 months ago

Same boat. They held my financial aid until I finished a class and started another. I also was billed on the 20th dropped out on the 24th and they are trying to charge me $2000 for the 4 days I was enrolled after being billed.

-2

brian
- 11 months ago

Sorry to hear that Derrick. But did you know that you are supposed to attached your work in each unit and not just in "turnitin"? When you submit your paper to turnitin, it will give you the details of where you have acquired your sources to ensure that outside sources are cited. Then once you have done that, you are supposed to attach it to the active Unit.

-1

DrJ
- 9 months ago

Turnitin does a check of the originality of your paper. It is not intended to check for grammar, spelling, writing mechanics etc. you won't receive feedback from turnitin

0

Joe
- 6 months ago

The courses specifically say to attach your documents in the assignment list for each unit. I'm pretty sure you had to take a tutorial on this before your first class. TurnitIn does nothing more than highlight like statements and verifies academic honesty, you click Originality at the top and it highlights it for you. Obviously college is not for you.

5
out of 5

Educational Psychology Ph.D. Student-
December 27, 2015

Degree:
Psychology, General

Graduation Year:
2015

I have to admit I was a bit wary about originally applying to this school; however, I've had a great experience. Yes, some professors are a bit challenging to get in touch with, as I recently experienced this past quarter, but I was able to go through academic advising and then to learner services to have the matter dealt with. Most of the professors, though, are very eager to help and stay in touch on a weekly, if not more frequent basis. This is not a brick and mortar school where you will have people chase you down if you do not turn in assignments, you need to make sure to maintain your own schedule and calendar so that you are able to meet deadlines. I have found that if you have an emergency, most are willing to give you extensions. Unfortunately, the deadline at the end of the quarter is pretty set, so unless you have a catastrophe, you won't find much sympathy. The amount of work I've done has been similar to what you would find in a regular, non-online school. The level of academic writing ability that I've seen in the rest of the students has varied significantly. Yes, this is a for-profit school, but it's tuition prices are comparable to most other schools. Have you seen the tuition rates lately?! But, I would not let the economic status of the school fool you. Capella is extremely academic and will push you to learn more than you ever thought you could, as long as you make an effort.

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36 out of 42users found this review helpful.

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1
out of 5

Marnita Dixon-
December 22, 2015

Degree:
Psychology

Graduation Year:
2015

This is the worst school ever, nothing for their online course ever worked and it was the worst year of school ever for me. I dropped out of this school after 3 classes and they are saying I owe them over 4000 dollars for a class that I did not ever take with them now. I would never advise anyone to do anything with this sorry excuse for a school. It is basically a school in a box that has terrible student customer service and the staff is never helpful and yes I might sound a little disgruntled and yes I am.

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